Summary
WARNING: Potential Spoilers forThe Boy Wonder#1!One of DC’s most enduring running gags across movies, TV shows, and comics isBatman’sknack for disappearing mid-conversation, a trait that the Dark Knight’s fifthRobinhas seemingly inherited in DC’s new Black Label series. What makes Damian Wayne’s disappearing act even more fitting is who he leaves hanging mid-sentence.
A major theme in ‘The Boy Wonder’appears to be Robin’s personal growth through observing his newfound family.
Juni Ba’s Black Label series,The Boy Wonder, offers a fantastical retelling of Damian Wayne’s Robin origin story, presenting a unique twist by narrating it in a fairytale-esque format from Damian’s perspective. The series promises to delve into the fifth Robin’s relationships with various Bat-Family members, primarily his adoptive brothers, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Red Robin.
The first issue revolves around Damian’s interactions with Dick Grayson and Batgirl Barbara Gordon. One notable moment seesthe two older heroes conversing with Robin, only to turn around and find him vanished mid-conversation, a trait reminiscent of his father, Batman.
Robin Inherits Batman’s ICONIC Disappearing Mid-Conversation ‘Power’ inThe Boy Wonder
InThe Boy Wonder#1, Nightwing, Batgirl, and Robin successfully neutralize the iconic Gotham rogue, Clayface. After a job well-done and a kiss shared by Dick and Barbara, Nightwing begins to ask Robin if he wants to help haul the shape-shifting villain back to Arkham Asylum alongside Batgirl. Before he can finish his question, however, Dick and Barbara realize that Damian has already left the scene. After a moment of confusion, Nightwing and Batgirl find themselves amused, with Dick laughing andBatgirl remarking, “Like father, like son, huh?” This is a clear nod toBatman’s habit of disappearing mid-conversation.
This moment becomes even more fitting, considering one of the people left hanging is Barbara Gordon, the daughter ofCommissioner James Gordon, who is frequently the main victim of Batman’s sudden exits mid-conversation. Hence, Batgirl being on the receiving end of Robin’s abrupt departure makes this a generational full-circle moment. It will be intriguing to see if this remains a running gag throughout Ba’s series or if it remains a one-off instance. Either way, it was highly entertaining, and fans are sure to appreciate the nod to this iconic running gag.
Damian Wayne’s Personal Growth Will Be Heavily Linked to His Relationships With Nightwing, Red Hood, and Red Robin
Ba’s decision to have Robin adopt one of his father’s most famous habits has sparked speculation about whether Damian will acquire more traits/quirks from various Bat-Family members. Aside from the disappearing act, Ba’s establishes in the first issue that Damian keenly observes his family members, absorbing information to become a son his father would be proud of. A notable instance is when, after a fall, Dick asks Damian if he is okay. Later, Damian recalls this moment and asks a mugging victim the same question, emphasizing a major theme in the story:Robin’spersonal growth through observing his newfound family.
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
Robin
Nightwing
Nightwing is the superhero moniker taken up by Dick Grayson, upon his aging out of the Robin role and becoming a superhero of his own. Inspired by the original Kryptonian hero of the same name, Grayson has risen to comic book immortality with the identity, earning respect as one of the greatest leaders in the DC Universe.
